Folding table



-March 16 ,1926. 1,576,635

w. R. DoqsLAs v FOLDING TABLK Filed Oct. 2, 1924 WE. 00061.45. IN VEN TOR. YQMLJLQQ A TTORNEY object of my invention to Patented Mar. 16, 1926.

UNITED S TATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALLACE B. DOUGLAS, 0F CRETE, NEBRASKA.

FOLDING TABLE.

Application filed October 2, 1924. Serial No. 741,175.

*was designed initially and primarily to meet the demand for a camp table for, use on antomobile and similar trips, Twill describe it with particular reference to that use.

' Such a table should be light in weight and it should be foldable into acompact bundle. folding and unfolding features should be of the utmost simplicity. Since the table is of necessity subjected to considerable rough usage it must be staunch and rugged, and it must be sanitary even under the unfavorable conditions of an extended tourist camping trip. In brief, it is the primary provide a folding table having these features. will be pointed out in the scription.

Referring now to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a view and perspective of my table as it appears when set up.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the underside of my table at one of its corners.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the folded table, a portion being broken away.

Figures 4 and 5 are interior views of a portion of the table showing particularly the latch for holding the leaves of the table.

following dein set up position.

The table top is made up of two leaves 10 and 11, leaf 10 being the larger of the two andof a size to snugly enclose the leaf 11. Both leaves are formed with double flanges on all of its edges as shown in Figure 3, the flanges being double in order to expose round or folded edges rather than rough out edges. In the set up table these flanges are all downturned. The flanges 12 at the meeting edges of the leaves are narrower than the outer flanges. The side flanges all project inwardly and are rounded, thus forming rounded ears 13 for receiving the pivot pins 14 which pivotally connect the two leaves.

The flanges 12 have substantially half the width of the outer flanges and the pivot pins 14 are in alignment with the free edges the flanges 12 of It must have no loose parts and its Other objects bl of the flanges 12; In the set up position of the-table the flanges 12 limit the pivotal movement of the leaves and serve to hold the table top rigid. The table may be heavil y loaded without depressing the top at its middle portion. When the table is folded the two leaves will meet along their free edges to completely close that edge of the. folded table. The leaf 11 folds into the'leaf 10 forming a closed box like structure when the table is folded;

In order to prevent the accidental upward (llSPlZlCGll'lGlll) of the leaves 10 and 11 when the table is set up, the latch shown in Figures 4 and 5 may be employed in conjunction with either or both pivots 14. The latch consists of a leaf spring 15 which is spot welded, preferably at two points, to the inner surface of the 15 is provided with a pin 16 for entering a suitable aperture in the overlying flangesof the leaves and with an car 17 for facilitating the release of the pin 16 from the aperture when it is desired to fold the ta- The table is supported at its four corners by the legs 18 and 19 which are pivotally connected der side in such a manner that each pair of legs is foldable into alignment inside the table top. The legs are all made of channeled steel andare of equal length, the relative cross sectional dimensions being such that each leg 19 is foldable into ,the companion leg 18.

The relationship of the legs to the table top and the bracing system of the legs is flange. The spring A plate 22 is seto the back" to the table top on its untremity inturned to form an ear 23 which is pivotally secured to the inner of the pair of ears 21. A second pivotal connection is formed between the leg directly and the other ear 21 of the pair. the two nivots being in alignment. The plate 22 is long enough to prevent lateral playof the leg and thus acts as a transverse brace for the leg. In the set up position of the table, the end -when in use I i of the tabletop. The lower link 26 of the brace is pivoted to its leg and it is provided with a toggle abutment for holding the links in ali nment. There is a difference, how- ,ever, 'etween the linka es for the legs 18 and 19. In the caseoft e legs 18 the links lie between the lateral flange of the table top and contiguous wall of the leg 18, the links 24 and 26 being entirely outside the leg. In the leg 19, however, the links are entirely within the leg when the table is folded.

As before stated, my table is designed primarily for use on camping and tourist trips. When set up it is a. rugged table of ample size and when folded it forms a compact bundle occupying very littlespace and having no pro ections. The legs occupy only a very small part of the space within the folded table, leaving ample room for the table linen and silverware, which are thus fully protected from dust. The folding and unfolding of the table requires only a few seconds timezwhich is a vital factor in any ta ble designed for tourist use lVhen set up, the space underneath the tableis open and free, there being no braces which would prevent the users from sitting close to the table and getting their legs underneath. The table being all metal and enameled is easily kept in sanitary condition.

The table has however, other uses than 7 it is'particularly useful as a clerks table in voting places, it being my intention to manufacture the table in a size convenient for this purpose, be used either with or without the collapsible voting booths.

Having thus described my iuvention'in terms which will be readily understood by others skilled in the art to which it pertains,

what I believe to be new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States 1S1- A table leg and means for securing said le to the table top on the under side thereot,-said means including a plate which is adapted to be secured to the table top at the under side therwf, spaced ears on said plate, a triangular brace rigidly secured to said leg adjacent its upper extremity, said triangular brace and leg being pivotally connected with the ears of the said plate, said leg being thus foldable into parallelism with the table top, a support which is adapted to be secured to the table top in the path of the leg, and a foldable brace pivotally connected with said leg and with said support, said foldable brace being adapted to hold said leg in perpendicular relation to the table top.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WALLACE R. DOUGLAS. 

